CDs SENT TO HALF A COW

January 2006

PIP SMITH AND RED STAR 3 track demo

POP STAR ARRESTED ON SEDITION CHARGES!

A Sydney-based singer who makes music in the Blue Mountains, Pip Smith, has been the first person from the arts world to be charged with sedition. The so-called offence was writing and recording a song on her three track demo called 'Crusade Revival'. Pip, who is backed by members of Architect, Belles Will Ring and The Maple Trail and plans to have on EP or an album released in the first half of 2006, hopes to put these ridiculous sedition charges behind her.

On the first day of the trial, a witness for the Defence said of the demo cd: "It was the drum sound that first caught my attention and, being biased towards what sounds like an analogue recording, I thought this sounds cool!".

He continued, "'She's A Flashgirl' has a wonderful arrangement, great reverbed guitar stabs that go into a fantastic piano/handclap section. The lyrics are exceptional. The second song 'After Running' starts with a solo guitar which builds up in tempo, then xylophone and vocals come in. Again, faultless lyrics."

The Prosecution had to concede that the offending cd was "an exemplary example of a 'demonstration recording' - three songs showing the variety of the musical act. The dance number, the ballad and - the offending song - the political 60s-sounding rave-up". During a heated moment in the trial, the Prosecution yelled at Ms Smith, "You even admit it! Are these not your words? ' I am un-Australian 'cause I bite the hand that feeds the man who wishes he was a republican who only serves people who drives sedans...' Guilty, I say!"

"What deems sedition?" the lawyer for Ms Smith asked of the jury. "If I dream that I assassinated the Prime Minister - is that sedition? But I digress. I would hate to make a martyr of Little Johnny Fuck Fuck. So is coming up with a great song such as 'Crusade Revival' against the law? With lyrics that not only tell the truth but are catchy too: 'Tell me please I don't understand why you couldn't find Osama in Afghanistan / You could never find the Taliban if they were rolled in peanut butter and smelled like jam.' Just great, Ms Smith, keep it up!"

It was at this moment during the court proceedings that the room erupted in some whoopin' and a-hollerin'. As supporters of Pip Smith cheered her on, the Judge called for order. The trial continues into next week. -ND